Bachelor of Media Music und Musikproduktion

Offered by:

The Bachelor of Media Music Producer program lasts four years and culminates with a Bachelor of Music in Media Music university degree. This program is offered at the Enschede campus of the ArtEZ University of Arts.

The Bachelor in Media Music covers four majors:

Music Producer for Media
Composer for Film and Games
Electronic Artist & Producer
Music Producer for Bands and Artists

Depending on which major is selected as the main focus of the program, this course provides instruction in composition, music design, and audio for various media. Students in this program will work closely with students from the ArtEZ Academy of Pop.
Intensive collaboration with game design students as well as national and international studios and companies are also available to students. Particular emphasis is placed on conceptual, technical, and consciously-developed music production and entrepreneurship.
The basis for successful completion of this course of study is a student’s ambition, talent, and ability to pursue his or her own vision. After graduation, students work as successful musicians or audio engineers in the creative industry.

After the first year of studies, Media Music students select one of the following majors:

Music Producer for Media:

The Music Producer major teaches students about working in television, radio, advertising, and other forms of media. The major is broad and comprehensive in scope, and students will learn about creative expression in all relevant areas, from orchestral to rock, underscoring to EDM, songs, trailer music, commercials, TV and radio branding, and epic product launch music.
In addition, each student develops concepts and branding techniques with corresponding music out of the box.
Studio work with live musicians and synchronized music for TV series and films are another important element of the major. A further aspect of this course of study is writing songs and lyrics for artists produced by students, as is executing production jobs for global corporate clients.

Composer for Film and Games:

This major focuses on composition, arrangement, and conducting for films and games.
Your tasks will include composing and arranging for a broad spectrum of fields using compositions for single instruments and virtual orchestras.
You will learn how to tell stories with your music. Whether you write for film, TV series, or games, this involves building tension over a long period of time while meeting the dramatic requirements presented in the film.
For games, you’ll learn about the latest audio technology and the newest game engines in order to optimally utilize the possibilities of adaptive reality.
Depending on the content and the budget, you’ll compose your music for film and games using live musicians or electronic instruments. Music students from the ArtEZ Academy of Pop Music, the ArtEZ Classical Music program, and the ArtEZ Jazz & Pop program are available for collaborations.

Electronic Artist & Producer:

Here you will learn to produce electronic music and to classify it in overriding concepts, which include images and communication in addition to music.
Even before your studies are finished, you will perform your productions and work at a professional level in the music industry, on stage and in the background.

Music Producer for Bands and Artists:

This major covers all aspects of music production. Youíll learn about studio, live, and recording technology, recording workflows, editing, mixing, and mastering. Several professionally-equipped studios are at your disposal, and youíll be putting your own skills to use along with the excellent musicians of the ArtEZ Academy of Pop Music. Ultimately, youíll be able to create productions that meet the quality norms of the national and international market.

Structure of the program:

The focus of the program is on each student. With an emphasis on theory, technical ability, and the effective practical implementation, each student develops his or her own music, personal musical style, and creativity. With assignments developed based on professional practice, students become familiar with the needs of industry. Interdisciplinary studio projects, project weeks, and vocational internships provide complimentary supplements to the program.

First year: Orientation

Along with specially-tailored music productions, students will expand broaden their horizons with regard to professional practice. This enables students to take a closer look at the major of their choice. For example: a Composer for Film and Games student would write a song for a band in the first year.

Second year: Immersion and specialization:

Expanding on abilities and knowledge for the purpose of building up a portfolio is at the heart of the second year. Among other things, a studentís portfolio can be broadened by combining with other styles and disciplines within and outside of the university. This allows students to integrate topics from other majors into their studies.
Students can switch majors at the beginning of the second year.

Third year: Minor studies and research

Preparation for a bachelor’s thesis begins in the third year with the selection of minor studies and a research project. Students can study abroad for a few months at a time during the third or fourth year.

Fourth year: Internship and graduation

The program culminates with graduation at the end of the fourth year. Each student should strive to showcase the skills and abilities they have learned. Depending on how each individual course of study is shaped, this can take any of the following forms:

Release of a student’s production
Presentation or a master class in a cinema or theatre
Film premiere
Release of a game
Sample library
Concert of studentís compositions
Interactive sound installation at an arts festival
Organization of a festival
Presentation of a student’s company
Live set at a festival
Digital learning concept

All students in the Media Music program present their final projects at the ArtEZ Finals Festival. Taking part in the ArtEZ Finals Festival is a requirement of this program.

  Program start:

Sept. 2023

Program end:

August 2027

Program duration:

8 Semester

  Lesson type:

Full time Bachelor

Prerequisites:

Entrance exam:

April 2023

Registration for entrance exam:

Email to register

  Lectures:

Various

Course fees:

Approximately 2,000 euros per year for students with residence within the EU
Approximately 11,000 euros per year for students with residence outside the EU

Degree:

Bachelor of Media Music Production

Admission requirements

We work with students who use their entrepreneurial skills to pursue professional ambitions by undertaking a course of study.

Media Music admission criteria:

Applicants require school leaving exams / high school graduation, a technical diploma, or an equivalent secondary school certification.
Applicants from non-Dutch speaking areas require sufficient knowledge of English until May 31st (TOEFL B2, Ielts 5.5).
Applicants submit a letter of motivation and two examples of original musical compositions.
Passing an artistic aptitude test is required for all applicants as it represents the basic fundament for successful graduation.

For the entrance exam, we need a letter of motivation and two original musical productions, preferably in different musical styles (such as dance, metal, tango, or music video).

The letter of motivation should focus on a student’s professional plans and the role academic studies would play in these plans. We would also like to hear how other students stand to benefit from the unique skills and abilities of the applicant.

Applicants receive an invitation to the entrance exam as soon as the two submitted productions have been deemed sufficient.

Entrance exam:

The entrance exam takes place between March and July. The exact date will be included in the invitation to the exam.
The exam consists of two parts:

Interview:

An interview of 30 minutes is part of the admission process. This includes:

Test to determine level of proficiency with audio software and hardware
Test to determine level of proficiency on the keyboard / piano. Basic skills on piano or keyboard are advantageous.
An interview based on the letter of motivation and the submitted productions.

Theoretical examination:

A positive outcome in the interview leads to a theoretical examination that lasts 15-30 minutes.

This test examines musicality and tonal recall based on various components such as melody, harmony, rhythm, and groove.
An applicant’s current level of ability in conjunction with his or her potential for development are decisive factors.
Competency in general music theory will also be examined.

The exam allows us to form an impression of the actual capabilities of the applicant and the current level of proficiency in the field of music production. Proficiency with audio software and the scope of musical talent and musical knowledge will also be tested.
An applicant should already have some idea of future professional plans and know how an academic course of study will help implement these plans. Deficits in certain areas will be tolerated, but a high learning ability is crucial.

The following list details the contents of the theoretical aspects of the entrance exam:

Ear training
Singing melodies by sight reading
Melodic dictation
Rhythm dictation
Singing rhythms by sight reading
Chord transcription
General music theory

We recommend Media Music Producer preparatory training courses in Bonn in the event of deficits in musical theory. The courses provide ample opportunity to improve musical theory knowledge.